Brenda S. Anderson – 9/11 Memories – Part 1 of 2

Shannon here: I asked my critique partner, Brenda S. Anderson, to write something special for this day and she rose to the occasion. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for a print copy of her latest Contemporary Romance, Place Called Home for US or a Kindle copy for International. Deadline: Sept 22nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Brenda:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

It was one of those days everyone says they remember exactly what they were doing when they heard the news. I know I do.

September 11, 2001 was your average school day. I was in the kitchen, helping kids with breakfast and making lunches when our then nine-year-old daughter ran up the stairs to tell me about seeing a plane crashing into a building on TV.

I ran downstairs and was instantly riveted to the TV replaying video of the planes flying directly into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and hearing about the threat of terrorism.

Was our nation safe? What about Minnesota? Minneapolis? Was the Midwest a target as well? Would school be called off today? If not, should I send my children?

I did end up putting the kids on the school bus, with reservations, but I (a non-worrier) was concerned for them the entire day. Like many other people, I couldn’t get anything done. Instead, I sat glued to the television screen.

It was a numbing moment. A numbing day. You didn’t know what to think. We all felt vulnerable.

But it was also a day when many people became heroes.

Firefighters who ran into burning buildings.

First responders who ran toward the disaster.

Law enforcement who kept the chaos under control.

Medical personnel dealing with massive death and injury.

Even the average person stepped into the hero role.

The mom heading to the store.

The business traveler flying across country.

The students on their way to class.

People of all ages, races, genders, wealth, faiths, pitched in to help.

People who had neglected going to church, began worshiping again.

Many got on their knees for the first time in a long time, or for the first time ever.

And in spite of the tragedy, or perhaps because of it, our nation united and became stronger.

But now the nation is broken again.

God can heal it.

The challenge is to remain vigilantly on our knees, even when there is no tragedy drawing us together.

We need to lift up our leaders in your prayers.

Our president and our government.

Our pastors and our churches.

Our teachers and our schools.

Our employers and our work places.

Our cities, neighborhoods, neighbors.

Our parents, children, and family.

Because when we humbly seek Him and pray, He’s promised to hear us. He will forgive us. And He will heal our brokenness.

Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is Past-President of the ACFW Minnesota chapter, MN-NICE, the 2016 ACFW Chapter of the Year. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball, and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband of 31 years, their three children, and one sassy cat. Learn more & connect:

All she wants is a settled place to call home.
He can’t wait to make home a life-long road trip.

All Tessa Chanson ever wanted was a stable place to call home. She thought she’d found that when she moved in with Jared—until his home became her prison. When his control escalates, the only answer is to escape—an escape that’s hampered when she falls and fractures her ankle.

While building his graphic design company, Nate Brooks is focused on the future he’s dreamed of: traveling around the country from the comfort of his renovated school bus. But when he picks up a wounded, mysterious hitchhiker, those well-laid plans take a backseat to protecting her.

Hobbled by her injury, Tessa fears she’ll never find freedom. Or has she found it with the family who graciously opens their home to her? And will Nate’s protection put his family—and his heart—at risk?

PLACE CALLED HOME is Book 11 of “The Potter’s House Books,” stories of love, hope, redemption, and second chances.

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Comments

On 9/11 I was attending Bible Study Fellowship leaders training class in Virginia. The door to the room opened and a church volunteer walked in and whispered something to our leader. She immediately asked us to get on our knees and start praying. She explained what was happening. We all fell to our knees and cried out to God. We finished praying and left the building to go and find our loved ones. The sky was totally silent where we usually heard airplanes. The air was completely still. Not even a breeze was blowing through the tall trees. Life was forever changed. I am thankful for God’s love and mercy. I am thankful He comforts us always.

I was 19 and getting ready to go sign papers on my first car. I did not understand what it all meant for a long time. It was this event that led me to my walk with Christ. It made me realize that I was not invisible. Thinking about all the events of September 11, The 2 planes crashing the twin towers, the one that hit our Pentagon and the hero’s in that Pensylvania field that took out the hijackers made me realize how our life here can end so quickly.

On 9/11 I had already arrived at work. Had gone to the cafeteria to get a drink before I really settled in for the workday. The TVs were on and people were starting to gather to see the news. It was so unbelievable to see.

On 9/11 I was working in the shipping department at Amory Garment pulling orders when our president of the company come through the department with tears in his eyes telling all of us about the attack! He had just flew back the night before from there.

I was getting ready to take my daughter for a dress fitting for an upcoming wedding. My sister called, and told me to turn the news on quick! At the time I turned it on, the second plane had hit The World Trade Center. We watched as each event unfolded, then the next words cut us to the core! Another plane had hit the Pentagon! My Uncle worked in the Pentagon! Our mom was still asleep, and I didn’t know what to do, so I felt I had no choice but to wake her up. When I did, she immediately called my Aunt, who had no idea that anything had happened, for she was homeschooling my cousins, and didn’t have the television on. My mom had to give her the news. From that point on, we all kept trying to call my Uncle’s cellphone, but of course all of the circuits were busy! We sat, we waited, and we cried. It was about 4 hours later that my Uncle called, and told us he was okay! He had stepped out of his office to use another fax machine because the one near his office was not working. The plane hit the Pentagon in that area!

Every September 11th, I celebrate, and thank God for my Uncle John Scali!

ciao, I’m from italy. on 9/11/2001 I was in Usa with sister and parents. we went there on 16 august to visit our relatives and make a trip around big national parks. it was a scary trip, because it ends with a big sad news, all aereoport closed. we left on 13 september by plane to Milan (italy).
we think that we don’t forget that trip and fly…

I was at home fast asleep when my sister called to tell me to turn on the television. The minute I turned it on, the second plane crashed into Tower #2.
My husband was at KMart and wondered why everyone in the store was clustered around the television sets. Needless to say, all of America was shocked by what was occurring.

I was in school when this happened and I was shocked to hear it on the bus on my way home. I felt it wasn’t true what the driver and some friends were telling me. It only hit me when I got home and then spent the rest of the day following the news on the TV.
I’m still deeply sorry for those who had someone closer to the scene.

I was at work in my office. And six months pregnant. The mail girl poked her head and said a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. I thought private plane, terrible accident. Then someone else said a second plane had hit the other tower and I knew it wasn’t an accident. I Googled for information. Even though we were only supposed to get online for work related info. Then I realized everyone was going to the break room to watch TV, so I went. At the day unfolded and the news got worse, no one cared about productivity or getting our work done. Not even the supervisors and owner. At noon, we had a prayer circle in the parking lot. We spent much of the day, glued to the TV. And when we went back to our offices, we were all Googling for the latest. And no one got in trouble. No one got much of anything done that day. And no one cared. I wondered what kind of world I was bringing my baby into.

I was teaching my 6th grade math class on 9/11. A student who arrived late (due to a dentist appointment) told me about hearing strange things on the radio, so I turned on the news during my planning time at 8:45.

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